MLS New York City FC

New York City FC Announces Four New Coaches

Published on July 6, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
New York City FC News Release


NEW YORK, N.Y. - New York City FC have completed their new coaching line up with four additions to the Club's Sporting Department.

Albert Puig and Jordi Gris have been named Assistant Coaches to Head Coach Doménec Torrent, and Francesc Cos and Ismael Caenforte have been named Director of Performance and Head of Performance, respectively. The four will form part of the new Head Coach's staff in addition to Assistant Coach Javier Perez and Goalkeeping Coach Rob Vartughian.

Albert Puig will head east from California where the former FC Barcelona Youth Technical Director has been serving as De Anza Force Soccer Club's Technical Director since joining the Bay Area outfit in the summer of 2016. Prior to moving stateside, Puig was the Academy Director at the Catalan Club from 2010-2014, working with players of all ages throughout the La Masia ranks.

Puig said:

"I feel like it will be a terrific experience because we are going with Doménec. He is a terrific coach, and we have shared many experiences throughout our time at Barcelona.

"I'm also excited because this is a big Club that is already building in the same style and image of my experience at La Masia. New York is the biggest city in the world and it's a beautiful city to live in.

"It is our job in football to win, and to win with the emphasis of scoring goals. In order to do that, we will go in to improve the quality of each individual player and get the best out of the team."

Jordi Gris joins New York City FC after a successful stint as Assistant Coach and Director of Youth Football at Chennai City FC in India. Prior to focusing on youth development in the I-League, the former player was a scout at FC Barcelona for the U-12 through U-23 teams, and later went on to become a trusted analyst on Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Barcelona B and Manchester City.

Gris said:

"I'm very excited to come to New York City FC and to work with Doménec. I'm excited to be in this city.

"Dome knows me for some years because I worked in Barcelona as a scout. I feel he brought me in for my ability to analyze our rivals. I know he has confidence in my ability.

"I think for New York City the arrival for Dome is very important and the idea will be the same. I think Dome will change some things and I think we will improve on this idea to work stronger and to arrive for the MLS Playoffs in good condition."

Francesc Cos, another former FC Barcelona man who headed up strength and conditioning from 2004 to 2016. He brings with him a PhD, a Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, and a Master's degree in High Sport Performance from the University of Barcelona where he has been working as a professor since 1993.

Cos said:

"Doménec Torrent is a very talented coach, one of those people born with a special gift to understand soccer. He has many years of experience in top level teams and has also had the chance to work alongside the best coach in the world.

"We know that NYCFC has a top-level staff and we are looking forward to adding value and our experience to this great team of professionals. We want to contribute to make NYCFC even bigger.

"To come to New York is a dream. This Club is a project that is quickly growing. And to participate in this growth in such a marvelous city and country is an honor. When I was 24 years old, I came to this country as an instructor at the YMCA so that I could learn English, and I fell in love. I fell in love with the people, the nature that this country has, the natural parks, it's a country that every time I'm here, I feel like I'm home. Coming from a city like Barcelona, which is so beautiful, to New York is a great privilege."

Rounding out the sporting additions is Ismael Camenforte who comes to New York by way of FC Barcelona B - having served as the Head Physical Trainer for the past six years. He comes in having worked with Doménec and the other additions amongst the Barcelona ranks.

Camenforte said:

"My first goal is to adapt. I would like to see what the Club has been doing well because I know that they have been doing a lot of great things and that they are a great team. My goal is to win all the titles possible in NYC because I think that it's a team that deserves it.

"I hope to bring my knowledge of the Barcelona methodology in which I worked with Dome, and I also hope to bring my knowledge of control and analysis, where I feel I'm an expert."

All four coaches will begin work at the Etihad City Football Academy New York upon the receipt of work permits.

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